Greg Norman did not use some sort of black magic here when he created this course, but it sure does have some interesting effects. The Black Course of the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples,Florida has a way of leaving golfers bewitched and utterly in love with the course. This reaction, though, is quite easy to explain: it has gotten the ingredients for an excellent golf vacation destination in the exact amounts – scenery, challenge, amenities. Once a golfer is spellbound, there is nothing else that he wants or needs from it; just more time.

The Black Course, along with its sibling Gold Course, are the two Greg Norman-designed courses that make up the Tiburon Golf Club. The Black Course lists shorter in yardage, at 7,005 yards, par 72, from the longest tees but Norman made sure it never ran short on being exciting. And by exciting, he actually meant unforgiving and extremely demanding. Its fairways and landing areas are tight, and the water and sand hazards make it even tighter. The trees will make their own statement, too, somewhere along the way. This is one tough golf vacation, to say the least. But its toughness is quite addictive, it borders on being masochistic on the part of the golfers.

Thankfully, there are five sets of tees at the Black Course, so lower-handicapped golfers need not worry. It plays fair and gives a golfer the result he’s played for – no more, no less. No wonder people come here for one golf trip after another – there is not an antidote for its spell. Neither would anyone want to break free from it.

This dragon may be sleeping, and it may not be able to breathe fire, but its features have more than enough spunk in them to ignite a fiery passion to each golfer who plays here. That, or it could just be the desert heat. Either way, the Dragon Ridge Country Club is one golf vacation destination that looks as tough as it is, without looking monstrous. Much like a Lucy Liu or a Zhang Zi Yi.

A joint creation of renowned designers, Jay Morrish and Dave Druzisky, the Dragon Ridge Country Club features 6,975 yards from the longest “Dragon” tees, par 72. The biggest challenges at the course are handed by nature itself. The elevation changes are so varied, they range from steep to very steep. Dramatic at the least, erratic at worst. An organized mess of bunkers, desert washes, and some well-thought of water features dot the entirety of the course, giving life to the “dragon” that will make anyone’s golf vacation a most challenging, and memorable one.

The Dragon Ridge Country Club got its name from the nearby ridge that has a very interesting rock formation atop it that resembles the scales on a dragon’s back. This, the surrounding desert, and a view of the Las Vegas skyline serve as background image from many different points around the course. If the difficulty of this golf course is not enough to spark some fiery passion for the sport, it is enough to transform an ordinary golf trip into one of epic, monstrous proportions.

Favorite or favourite, the Royal Links Golf Club in Las Vegas undoubtedly fits the description. This 18-hole golf vacation destination is a very unique combination of some of the best and most memorable holes from the hosts of the British Open including the “Road Hole” and the “Hell Bunker” at St Andrew’s in Scotland.

This Dye International creation was, in fact, made in honor of the royal heritage of the sport. Every hole was well thought of, every feature was made to define utmost respect for the sport and its countless champions. The links-style Royal Links Golf Club plays 7,029 yards of golf from the longest tees, for a par of 72. Staying true to its Scottish heritage, many of the deep bunkers and hazards are hidden. And this is where the knowledgeable caddies are most needed. The whole game,and the entire golf vacation hereabouts is one big time warp – a journey back to the glorious roots of this well-loved sport.

Just a little beyond the greens, a stately castle stands in sight as a clubhouse cum museum. Apart from a rugged, authentic isle pub, Stymie’s, serving traditions – from food to its antique effects. The rest of the clubhouse also houses memorabilias that further tell tales of golf’s colourful past. On top of it all, the golf shop at the Royal Links Golf Club is nothing short of royal, and award-winning. And the whole course? Dubbed as Las Vegas’ best, and among the best 100 in the country. Now, there isn’t any other way to spell best right? This is sure to be one golf trip that could not be anything other than brill.

This course is “in-biting”! The word play may not work for everyone but the Wolf Course of the Paiute Golf Course would definitely be a delight to play for any golfer. It appeals most especially to golfers of discriminating taste – offers a satisfaction that only a Pete Dye creation could give. This golf course right at the heart of Las Vegas is a golf vacation that will most definitely leave its mark.

The Wolf Course is regarded the longest course in Nevada, and perhaps the entire Southeast region, at 7,604 yards from the longest tees. With its sweeping views of the surrounding desert, the flat and rocky terrain, signature Dye bunkers, things cannot get any more interesting and beautiful than this. There are numerous doglegs and forced carries to hurdle; trust that it’s a wild one that cannot easily be tamed. For the more challenged ones, there are five sets of tees to choose from. Not that it’s going to be any easier; it’s just going to be a lot more forgiving and patient. The best thing about it is perhaps the most undeniable: this is a desert golf vacation destination at its purest; golfers can play and enjoy the golds and reds of the desert landscape undisturbed by the presence of residential edifices.

The signature hole of the Wolf Course is the island green 15^th. It is reminiscent of TPC of Sawgrass’ 17^th, which is also a Dye masterpiece. To cap it all off, the course is in a golf resort that could not be placed anywhere below excellent and superb and world-class. As are the amenities and services – naturally. This is one absolute Las Vegas golf trip that is “to-Dye-for!”

The Revere at Anthem, in Henderson, just a little outside of Las Vegas, is a well known golf vacation stopover. Golfers know they are in for one tough joyride in the Revere’s Concord Course. The Billy Casper/Greg Nash creation will take golfers in a roller coaster adventure through Nevada’s most scenic desert locations.

Measuring 7,034 yards from the longest tees, the Concord Course has an ideal location in one of the highest points in the valley. With majority of the natural desert terrain retained, the golf vacation destination has very dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views. Rocky outcroppings, bunkers, wide fairways and large greens all make up the wild ride of a game. The level of challenge rises and falls just as much as there are changes in elevation. And the most fascinating of it all is a most appropriate ending: the 18^th hole – a long, downhill par 5 aptly called “Independence”. The greens are guarded by a ravine at the front, demands all the precision and accuracy for the golfer. Tricky at best, traitor at worst. This is considered not only the best closing hole in Las Vegas, but the best golfing hole in the area. A most fitting ending to a tough joyride.

The scenery surrounding the Concord Course is among the best anyone could ask for when sightseeing. Good scenery, even better layout – no wonder this course holds a four and a half star rating from Golf Digest’s Places to Play and a “Best New Course in Las Vegas” award (2002). The course is difficult but forgiving; it could be hard to play at times – but it is harder not to! It would be even more difficult to forgive having to miss a golf trip here!

Not even a battering from Mother Nature’s fury could destroy a great golf vacation destination. Well, almost. Not that it was left unscathed, but the Tiger Point Golf Club in Gulf Breeze, Fl rose up from the debris of successive Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. The aftermath of the hurricanes were devastating, reducing a once-36 hole golf facility into a 27-hole course. But not just any 27-hole course – it is still one of the most beautiful, most interesting courses on Florida’s Emerald Coast, hurricane or no hurricane.

The Tiger Point Golf Club has two courses – the 18-hole East Course and the West Course nine. Half of the former West Course got the worst end of the hurricanes and is on its way to reconstruction. Thankfully, the remaining 27 were salvaged by one of its original designers, the legendary Jerry Pate. The East Course measures 7,041 yards from the longest tees, par 72, and has a Scottish links layout design. The West Course plays par 36 and measures 3,414 yards. Both courses have four sets of tees , and features stunning views of the bay, a sprinkling of southern pines, and some interesting undulation – a rarity of sorts in the mostly flat terrain hereabouts. Its championship layouts are not only golf vacation-savvy; they are also tournament ready.

In fact, the Tiger Point Golf Club was host to several PGA Tour Events then and now. That, plus excellent practice facilities have merited it some huge awards, including being voted “Best of the Bay” (Pensacola News Journal, 2007). With huge reconstruction projects along the way, this golf trip haven is well on its way not only to a full recovery but becoming one of the best in the state. Not that it’s any less better now.